The sun filtered through the tall academy windows as we gathered in the grand assembly hall, a rare occasion where both noble and commoner students sat shoulder to shoulder. The tension in the air was palpable, an invisible line dividing the room despite the proximity of our seats.
Lieutenant Garven stood at the podium, his commanding presence silencing even the most restless of us. His steely gaze swept over the crowd as he began to speak.
"Today marks the start of your field training. For the next five days, you will test your mettle not in the safety of these walls, but in the wilds of the Wedelia Forest," he announced, his voice as sharp as the edge of a sword.
Murmurs rippled through the hall, excitement and apprehension mixing like oil and water. My mind raced, calculating the implications of this exercise. A controlled environment, they said. Cleared of significant threats, they claimed. Yet, nothing in this academy had proven entirely safe.
Garven’s voice broke through my thoughts. "Each of you will pair with another student. The objective is simple: hunt and bring back proof of at least two E-Ranked beasts. The forest’s ecosystem is teeming with Horned Boars. But be warned, they are no simple prey. Even at E-Rank, they are capable of inflicting serious injury."
I glanced around the room, gauging reactions. The nobles sat with an air of confidence, their smug expressions hinting at their belief in their superiority. After all, many of them had been trained since childhood, already adept at handling themselves in combat.
The commoners, on the other hand, exchanged uneasy glances. For most of them, this would be their first true test outside the academy’s protective barriers.
My thoughts turned to Lorian, who sat a few rows behind me, his sharp eyes scanning the room. I hadn’t intended to work with anyone specific, but Lorian’s agility and quick thinking had proven reliable in our last encounter. More importantly, I knew I could trust him.
Garven continued, his tone turning grave. "Let me remind you, this is not a game. Injuries are inevitable, but recklessness will not be tolerated. Pairs will be assigned tracking devices, and instructors will patrol the perimeter. However, once you step into the forest, you are expected to rely on yourselves and your partner."
A flicker of unease settled in the pit of my stomach. I had no doubts about my ability to handle E-Ranked beasts. My mastery of Aura's Core stage gave me an edge over most of my peers. But this wasn’t just about survival or completing a task. The forest was bound to become another battlefield for the unspoken war between noble and commoner students.
As Garven dismissed us to find our partners, the hall erupted into movement. Nobles flocked to one another, pairing up quickly. I caught snippets of their conversations, their boasts about who would bring back the largest haul and who would dominate the rankings.
I stood, making my way toward Lorian. He spotted me and raised an eyebrow, his usual smirk in place.
"Let me guess," he said as I approached. "You need someone to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself out there."
"More like someone to keep from getting themselves killed," I replied dryly.
We exchanged a brief handshake, sealing our agreement to pair up.
**
Into the Wedelia Forest
The Wedelia Forest was unlike anything I’d seen before. Its towering trees stretched high into the sky, their gnarled branches intertwining to form a canopy that filtered the sunlight into faint beams. The forest floor was dense with underbrush, and the air carried a faint, earthy aroma mixed with the lingering scent of dew.
I adjusted the leather strap of my pack as we ventured deeper, keeping my senses sharp. Every rustle of leaves, every distant chirp of a bird, set my instincts on edge. This wasn’t my first foray into a wild environment, not in this life or the last, but the weight of responsibility for both myself and Lorian added an unfamiliar pressure.
Lorian walked beside me, his steps surprisingly silent for someone with such a casual demeanor. He twirled a dagger in his hand, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
“Comfortable?” I asked, breaking the silence.
He shot me a grin. “A forest is a lot like the city, you know. Plenty of places to hide, and you never know who—or what—might be watching.”
I smirked at his analogy but didn’t reply. My focus remained on the path ahead. The terrain was uneven, with roots snaking out like traps waiting to ensnare the unwary. Each step required careful attention, especially as we moved further from the starting point where most of the other pairs were likely hunting closer to safety.
The sound of a distant grunt caught my attention, and I held up a hand to stop Lorian. We both crouched, moving silently toward the source. Peering through the underbrush, I spotted a Horned Boar grazing in a small clearing.
The creature was as formidable as I remembered—its tusks sharp and its thick hide glinting faintly under the filtered sunlight. Its powerful muscles rippled as it moved, its head swinging side to side as it foraged.
“First target?” Lorian whispered, his voice barely audible.
I nodded. “Keep low. Circle around to its left. I’ll approach from the front.”
He gave me a mock salute before slipping into the shadows, his movements almost blending with the forest. I waited for him to get into position, keeping my breathing steady as I observed the boar. My fingers tightened around the hilt of my sword.
Moments later, Lorian gave a soft whistle—a signal he was ready. I stepped out of the underbrush, my presence deliberate as I moved into the boar’s line of sight. Its head snapped up, and it let out a guttural snort, its body tensing as it prepared to charge.
“Easy now,” I muttered, watching its movements carefully. I wasn’t here to show off or take unnecessary risks. This was about precision. Efficiency.
The boar pawed the ground, lowering its head before surging forward. At the last second, I sidestepped, my blade slicing through the air and catching its flank. It roared in pain, stumbling slightly but quickly regaining its footing.
Before it could charge again, Lorian sprang from the shadows, his dagger flashing as it embedded itself in the creature’s shoulder. The boar thrashed, blood spraying as it let out another roar.
Working in tandem, we pressed the attack. My sword struck its legs, while Lorian’s precise strikes targeted its vital points. Within moments, the boar collapsed, its body still as the forest fell silent once more.
Lorian straightened, wiping his dagger on a nearby leaf. “One down. That wasn’t so bad.”
I shook my head, sheathing my sword. “Don’t get cocky. We still need one more, and we’re deeper in the forest than most of the others. Stay alert.”
He nodded, his smirk fading slightly as he took in my serious tone.
We secured the boar’s tusks as proof of our kill, marking the spot to retrieve the body later. As we moved further into the forest, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me. Something about this place felt off. The air was too still, the shadows too deep.
And then, as we continued our hunt, I noticed it. A flicker of movement at the edge of my vision. Someone—or something—was following us.
**
Evading the Stalkers
The feeling of being watched crept up on me like an itch I couldn’t scratch. Every instinct honed in my past life told me we weren’t alone. My steps slowed slightly, and I tilted my head as if listening to the faint rustle of leaves above the ambient forest sounds.
“What is it?” Lorian asked, his voice barely above a whisper. His casual tone was replaced by a sharp edge, recognizing the change in my demeanor.
“We’re not alone,” I muttered, keeping my eyes forward but scanning the area with my peripheral vision. “Don’t make it obvious, but someone’s been tailing us for the past ten minutes.”
Lorian’s hand instinctively went to the hilt of his dagger, his movements smooth and subtle. “Think they’re after us or just lost?”
“Too deliberate to be lost,” I replied, keeping my tone even. “They’re keeping their distance but staying close enough to monitor us. Amateurs, though. Their rhythm is too noticeable.”
I slowed my pace slightly, pretending to examine the tracks of a boar that weren’t there. Lorian crouched beside me, playing along. His lips quirked into a grin, though his eyes were sharp. “Want to lose them, or bait them out?”
I thought for a moment before answering. “We bait them. Let’s see who they are and what they want.”
Lorian nodded, his grin widening as if he enjoyed the prospect of a hunt within a hunt. Together, we adjusted our course, taking a path that wove between thicker sections of the forest. The dense foliage provided plenty of opportunities for us to mask our movements and mislead our stalkers.
We moved in near silence, each step calculated to minimize noise. I signaled for Lorian to split off slightly, creating the illusion that we were separating. This would force our tail to either reveal themselves or split their attention. It didn’t take long for the first mistake.
A snapping twig echoed faintly to my left—subtle, but in the stillness of the forest, it might as well have been a trumpet. I resisted the urge to turn my head and instead flicked my fingers in Lorian’s direction, signaling him to hold his position.
Another sound, this time the soft rustle of leaves, confirmed it. There was more than one of them, and they were closing in. I suppressed a smirk. They were growing impatient. Good.
Circling around, I used the natural cover of the underbrush to position myself behind our pursuers. Lorian mirrored my movements, moving with surprising stealth for someone who usually radiated energy. As we closed the gap, the faint sound of whispered voices reached my ears.
“Are they splitting up?” one voice asked, low but audible.
“Doesn’t matter,” another replied. “We’ll catch them either way. Just stick to the plan.”
I peered through the foliage and finally caught sight of them—four figures clad in the academy’s standard training gear, their capes barely masking the noble crests embroidered on their chests. Among them, I spotted Derren, his arrogant posture unmistakable.
I met Lorian’s eyes from across the clearing and gave a small nod. We moved in unison, striking from the shadows to surround them.
“Well, well,” I said, stepping into the open. “Fancy meeting you out here.”
Derren’s head snapped toward me, his expression shifting from surprise to irritation. “What the—”
Before he could finish, Lorian emerged from the opposite direction, his dagger spinning casually in his hand. “Lost, are we? Or just sightseeing?”
Derren scowled, his hand twitching toward his belt before thinking better of it. His cronies shifted uneasily, their confidence wavering now that their element of surprise was gone.
“Mind explaining why you’ve been following us?” I asked, keeping my tone calm but laced with warning.
Derren sneered, his bravado returning. “Just making sure you commoners don’t cheat your way through the hunt. Can’t have the academy’s reputation tarnished, after all.”
Lorian snorted. “Right, because stalking us for half an hour is perfectly honorable behavior.”
“You don’t belong here,” Derren snapped, his eyes narrowing. “This academy is for the best, not gutter trash pretending to be soldiers.”
I stepped closer, my hand resting on the hilt of my sword. “Then why don’t you stop pretending you have a reason to be here and leave?”
The tension crackled in the air, the quiet forest amplifying every movement. Derren hesitated, his eyes darting between me and Lorian. Then, with a malicious grin, he pulled out a small pouch from his pocket.
“You think you’re so clever?” he said, his voice low and venomous. “Let’s see how clever you are when you’re fighting for your lives.”
Before I could react, he tore open the pouch and flung its contents into the air. A fine red powder billowed around us, its pungent, acrid scent filling the air almost instantly. My eyes watered, and I instinctively stepped back, but the damage was done. Derren and his cronies turned and bolted into the forest, their laughter echoing behind them.
“What the hell is this?” Lorian coughed, waving a hand in front of his face.
I didn’t answer immediately, my focus shifting to the unnatural stillness of the forest. The usual ambient noises—birds, rustling leaves—had gone silent. A cold dread settled in my chest as I realized the truth.
“It’s bait,” I said grimly. “And we’re the prey.”
**
The Red Powder Incident
The red powder clung to everything—the air, our clothes, and even the faint sheen of sweat on my skin. Its acrid smell burned my nostrils, sharp and overwhelming, as if it had been designed to leave an unmistakable trail. My instincts screamed at me, every sense alerting me to an impending danger that had yet to reveal itself.
“What kind of sick game are they playing?” Lorian growled, brushing futilely at his jacket to rid himself of the fine dust. His irritation was palpable, but his usual sharpness hadn’t dulled. “Do they know what this stuff does?”
“They know exactly what it does,” I said, scanning the forest around us. My voice was calm, but inside, my mind was racing. “This isn’t a prank. It’s a setup.”
The Wedelia Forest had been declared safe for training, cleared of any beasts above E-Rank. That was the guarantee given to every student before we stepped into these woods. But the academy couldn’t account for external interference—or for a noble’s arrogance. The red powder’s unmistakable stench was a beacon, designed to attract predators far more dangerous than the E-Ranked Horned Boars we were supposed to hunt.
“They’re trying to scare us off,” Lorian said, his tone biting. “Or worse.”
“Worse,” I confirmed, tightening my grip on the hilt of my sword. “They want to make sure we fail—or don’t walk out of here at all.”
A heavy silence settled between us, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves. The usual forest sounds were still absent, replaced by a suffocating quiet that felt unnatural. Even the insects had vanished, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
Lorian crouched beside me, his sharp eyes darting around the clearing. “Do you hear that?” he asked.
“No,” I replied, tension coiling in my chest. “And that’s the problem.”
The absence of noise was more unsettling than any roar or growl. It meant something was coming, something the other creatures instinctively knew to avoid. I glanced at Lorian, his usual confidence now tempered with caution.
“Stay close,” I said. “And whatever happens, don’t let your guard down.”
Lorian nodded, his hand tightening on his dagger. “Right back at you.”
We moved in tandem, slowly backing away from the open clearing. The powder lingered in the air, making it impossible to mask our presence. Every step felt heavy, every breath weighed down by the oppressive stillness. My grip on my sword tightened, my muscles coiled and ready for action.
A faint sound broke the silence—a low rumble, almost imperceptible but unmistakable to someone who knew what to listen for. It was distant but growing louder, the rhythmic vibration of something large moving through the underbrush.
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“There,” I said, nodding toward the direction of the noise. “It’s coming.”
Lorian’s expression hardened, his playful demeanor replaced by a focused intensity. “How big are we talking?”
“Too big for us to handle comfortably,” I admitted, my voice steady despite the unease creeping through me. “Be ready to move.”
The rumbling grew closer, accompanied by the faint snapping of branches. My mind worked quickly, assessing the terrain and potential escape routes. The forest offered plenty of cover, but with the red powder marking us as targets, hiding wouldn’t be enough. We’d need to outmaneuver whatever was coming—and fast.
“Any ideas?” Lorian asked, his voice low but steady.
“One,” I said, meeting his gaze. “But it’s not a good one.”
Before I could elaborate, the source of the noise burst into view—a massive creature, its thick, spiked hide glinting in the filtered sunlight. It lumbered into the clearing with an almost deliberate slowness, its heavy claws gouging deep grooves into the forest floor. The Thorny Armadillo. A D-Ranked beast, its size alone was enough to dwarf both of us, and the sharp spikes lining its back and tail promised a painful death for anyone reckless enough to challenge it.
Lorian let out a low whistle. “That’s... not a boar.”
“No,” I said, my heart pounding but my mind focused. “And we’re not its prey. Not yet.”
The Thorny Armadillo raised its head, its small, beady eyes locking onto us. It sniffed the air, the red powder clearly doing its job. A deep, guttural growl rumbled from its throat, and it began to advance, each step shaking the ground beneath our feet.
“Run?” Lorian asked, his tone light but edged with tension.
“Not yet,” I said, my grip tightening on my sword. “If we turn our backs now, it’ll chase us down before we’ve taken ten steps.”
Lorian nodded, his usual smirk replaced by a grim determination. “So, what’s the plan?”
I didn’t answer immediately, my focus locked on the approaching beast. The Thorny Armadillo wasn’t fast, but its sheer size and durability made it a nightmare to deal with. Its spiked tail lashed out as it moved, gouging deep scars into the trees around it. One hit from that, and it wouldn’t matter how fast we were.
“We keep it distracted,” I said finally, my voice firm. “And when we see an opening, we strike.”
Lorian grinned, his sharp features alight with a mix of excitement and nerves. “Distracting a giant spiky beast while covered in powder that makes it want to eat us. Sounds easy enough.”
“It’s not supposed to be easy,” I said, my eyes never leaving the Thorny Armadillo. “It’s supposed to work.”
And with that, we braced ourselves for what was coming.
**
The Battle with the Thorny Armadillo
The Thorny Armadillo charged, its spiked tail smashing into a nearby tree, shattering it into splinters. Each of its thunderous steps reverberated through the forest floor, an unrelenting force that would crush anything in its path. Its bloodlust-filled roar shook the air, and my grip on my sword tightened. The red powder on Lorian and me had turned us into walking bait, and the beast was out for blood.
"Lorian," I muttered, my voice low but steady. "We’ll need to use Aura to stand a chance."
He nodded, his usual smirk replaced by grim determination. The faint glow of his Aura flickered to life around him, sharpening his movements and bolstering his speed. I activated my own, the familiar warmth surging from my core and spreading through my limbs like fire. Unlike most, my Aura didn’t just circulate through my heart; it coursed through every vein, filling my entire body with enhanced strength and clarity.
We moved as one, splitting in opposite directions to divide the creature's focus. The Thorny Armadillo hesitated for a fraction of a second, its beady black eyes darting between us, unsure which target to prioritize.
"Keep it guessing!" I shouted, slashing at its side to draw its attention.
The beast roared, its tail swinging in a deadly arc. I ducked under the blow, my enhanced reflexes giving me just enough time to counter. My sword, glowing faintly with Aura, struck its armored hide. Sparks flew, but the thick plating absorbed the force, leaving only a faint scratch.
Lorian darted in from the other side, his dagger aiming for the creature’s vulnerable underbelly. He was fast, his movements almost a blur as his Aura-enhanced agility kept him one step ahead of the beast’s claws. His blade grazed its softer flesh, drawing a thin line of blood, but the Thorny Armadillo retaliated with a vicious swipe of its massive paw.
"Lorian, watch out!" I shouted, but it was too late.
The beast’s claws raked across his side, sending him tumbling to the ground with a cry of pain. Blood seeped from the gashes, staining the forest floor. My vision tunneled as rage flared within me, hotter than the Aura coursing through my veins. The sight of Lorian clutching his side, his face pale and strained, ignited something primal.
"You’ll regret that," I growled, gripping my sword tighter.
The Thorny Armadillo turned its attention to me, its tail whipping toward my legs. I leapt over it, using the heightened strength from my Aura to propel myself higher than I normally could. Midair, I twisted and drove my sword downward, aiming for its exposed back. The blade struck true, piercing the thin layer of plating between its spikes. The beast howled, thrashing wildly to dislodge me.
Pain shot through my arm as its tail struck me mid-spin, sending me crashing into a tree. The impact knocked the air from my lungs, and I tasted blood as I struggled to stand. My ribs screamed in protest, and my left arm hung limp, likely dislocated. But I couldn’t afford to stop—not now.
The Thorny Armadillo turned back to Lorian, who was struggling to his feet, his Aura flickering weakly. The beast’s tail rose high, poised for a crushing blow.
"No!" The word tore from my throat as I pushed off the ground, my Aura flaring brighter than ever. Every ounce of energy coursed through my blood vessels, amplifying my speed and strength beyond their limits. I closed the distance in a heartbeat, my sword slashing upward to intercept the beast's attack.
The blade connected, severing part of the tail’s spiked tip. The Thorny Armadillo screeched in pain, rearing back onto its hind legs. It left its underbelly exposed—a fleeting opportunity.
"Lorian!" I called, urgency lacing my voice. "Together!"
Despite his injuries, Lorian nodded, his Aura reigniting as he lunged forward with his dagger. I followed, driving my sword upward with all the strength I had left. Lorian’s blade struck first, carving a deep wound into the beast’s belly. My sword followed, piercing through to its heart.
The Thorny Armadillo let out one final, deafening roar before collapsing. Its massive body crashed to the ground, sending up a cloud of dirt and leaves.
I staggered back, my legs barely holding me up. Blood dripped from multiple wounds, and my vision blurred at the edges. Lorian fell to his knees, clutching his side as his Aura finally dissipated.
"It’s... dead," he murmured, his voice shaky but relieved.
I dropped my sword, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. My body screamed in pain, but all I could think about was Lorian’s injuries. I stumbled toward him, tearing another strip of cloth from my shirt to bind his wounds.
"You’re an idiot," I muttered, tying the makeshift bandage as tightly as I could. "Why didn’t you stay back?"
"And miss the fun?" he rasped, a weak grin forming despite his pale face. "You’d be lost without me."
I huffed a laugh, shaking my head as I secured the knot. My hands trembled, both from fatigue and the lingering adrenaline. The Thorny Armadillo lay motionless nearby, a testament to our combined effort and sheer willpower.
The sound of approaching voices reached us, faint at first but growing louder. Instructors, drawn by the commotion, burst into the clearing moments later. Their eyes widened at the sight of the massive corpse and the two of us barely clinging to consciousness.
"Over here!" one of them shouted. "We need medics!"
Relief washed over me as they rushed to our side, their hands steady as they began tending to our injuries. My vision darkened, and I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness.
"Rest," I murmured to Lorian, my voice barely a whisper. "We made it."
And with that, the world faded to black.
**
Medical Recovery and Investigation
Waking up felt like swimming through molasses. My body was leaden, each movement accompanied by a dull, throbbing ache. The scent of antiseptic stung my nostrils as I blinked against the harsh white light of the med bay. Groaning, I shifted slightly, wincing as the pain in my ribs flared. The last thing I remembered was collapsing beside Lorian after we felled the Thorny Armadillo.
"Lorian..." I muttered hoarsely, turning my head.
To my relief, he was in the bed next to mine, bandages wrapped tightly around his torso. He was pale, but the steady rise and fall of his chest told me he was alive. The relief that coursed through me was almost as overwhelming as the pain.
"You’re awake." His voice was soft but carried its usual lightness, a touch of humor hidden beneath the fatigue.
"Could say the same to you." I managed a small smirk, though it quickly faded as the events of the battle replayed in my mind. The blood, the claw marks, his near collapse...
And then, a memory surfaced—something I had noticed while binding his wounds. A chest wrap. My mind had dismissed it in the heat of battle, too focused on stopping the bleeding and keeping him alive. But now, lying here and seeing him without it, his frame was unmistakable. My gaze flicked downward, and I immediately looked away, heat creeping up my face despite the cold clarity of the revelation.
Lorian caught the shift in my expression, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "What?" he asked, though his tone suggested he already knew.
I hesitated, my voice dropping to barely a whisper. "Back in the forest... when I was tying your bandages... I noticed something. And now..." I trailed off, not sure how to phrase it without sounding accusatory or invasive.
For the first time since I’d met him, Lorian—always so confident and quick-witted—looked genuinely unsettled. He exhaled slowly, his usual smirk replaced by something softer, more vulnerable.
"I’ll explain later," he said quietly, his tone unusually serious. "Just... not here. Not now."
I studied his expression, the mixture of weariness and resolve in his eyes. There was a story behind this, one he wasn’t ready to share yet. For now, I nodded, deciding to respect his boundaries.
"Alright," I said simply, leaning back against the pillow. "But you owe me an explanation."
Lorian’s lips quirked into a faint smile, the tension easing slightly. "I know."
Before either of us could say more, the door creaked open, and Lt. Garven entered, his stern expression softening as he looked at us.
"Good to see you both conscious," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "You’ve caused quite the stir."
He pulled up a chair and sat between our beds, clipboard in hand. "First, tell me what happened in your own words. I’ve already received the reports from the instructors who found you, but I want to hear it directly."
Lorian and I recounted the events as best we could. I explained the Thorny Armadillo’s sudden appearance, how its size and aggression indicated it was far beyond the E-Rank beasts we were supposed to face. Lorian described the red powder Derren had smeared on us, his voice carrying a steely edge I hadn’t heard before.
Lt. Garven listened intently, his sharp eyes darting between us as we spoke. When we finished, he leaned back, his expression unreadable.
"The red powder," he muttered, tapping his pen against the clipboard. "We found traces of it on your uniforms. It’s an illegal lure used by poachers to attract stronger beasts. It shouldn’t have been anywhere near the training grounds."
He paused, his gaze hardening. "We also found torn pieces of capes near the area where you were attacked. They match the fabric of Derren and his clique’s uniforms. Care to elaborate on that?"
I glanced at Lorian, who nodded slightly, silently encouraging me to speak. "They were following us," I said. "We noticed them tailing us for a while. When we confronted them, they used the powder and fled. That’s the last we saw of them."
Lt. Garven’s grip on the clipboard tightened, his jaw clenching. "If this is true, their actions not only endangered your lives but violated every safety protocol we have in place. This won’t be taken lightly."
He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "You’ve both shown remarkable resilience," he said, his tone softening. "Taking down a D-Rank beast like that is no small feat, especially in your condition. Rest up. You’ll need your strength for what’s to come."
As he left, silence settled over the room once more. I glanced at Lorian, who was staring at the ceiling, his expression unreadable.
"You did good out there," I said finally, breaking the quiet.
Lorian turned his head toward me, his usual smirk making a weak but welcome return. "You’re not bad yourself, partner."
Despite everything—the pain, the exhaustion, the unanswered questions—I couldn’t help but chuckle. Whatever secrets Lorian was hiding, I knew one thing for certain: we made a hell of a team.
**
Downfall
The hall felt cold despite the warmth of the sunlight filtering through the stained-glass windows. Lorian and I stood side by side, bandages visible under our uniforms as we waited for the questioning to begin. The grand room was filled with instructors and academy officials, their stern faces making it clear this wasn’t just a routine inquiry. This was judgment.
Derren and his clique shuffled in, their expressions ranging from defiance to barely concealed fear. Derren, however, wore a mask of arrogant composure, his jaw set as though daring anyone to accuse him. It was a familiar look—one I’d seen too many times from nobles who believed their bloodlines shielded them from accountability.
Lt. Garven stepped forward, his authoritative presence silencing the murmurs in the room. He held a bundle of torn fabric, the distinct gold trim of the academy’s capes glinting in the light.
"These pieces were found near the site of the attack," he began, his voice calm but laden with weight. "They match the uniforms of the individuals standing before us. Furthermore, traces of the red powder—an illegal lure—were recovered from the victims' clothing. Derren, care to explain how this came to be?"
Derren’s composure faltered for a moment, but he quickly masked it with a scoff. "We were in the forest, like everyone else. Those capes could belong to anyone."
"Anyone?" Lt. Garven echoed, his tone dangerously neutral. He gestured to a nearby instructor, who stepped forward with a small pouch containing the remaining powder.
"This substance was recovered from a bag left in the forest. It bears your family’s crest, Derren."
The room went still. Derren’s jaw tightened, and he shot a glare at his companions. They shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze.
Before Derren could respond, Lt. Garven turned to Lorian and me. "Cadets Illiad and Lorian, you’ve accused Derren and his group of deliberately endangering your lives. Do you stand by your claims?"
"Yes, sir," Lorian replied firmly, his voice unwavering.
"And you, Illiad?"
I met Derren’s furious gaze head-on. "I do. They tailed us, used the powder, and ran when the beast appeared. Their actions nearly got us killed."
Derren’s face darkened. "You’re lying!" he snapped, his voice echoing in the hall. "Why would we risk something like that? You’re just commoners looking for someone to blame for your own incompetence!"
Lt. Garven’s sharp voice cut through the tension. "Enough, Derren. This isn’t about noble bloodlines or commoner status. It’s about accountability."
He turned to Derren’s clique, his piercing gaze pinning them in place. "You’ve been unusually quiet. Perhaps you’d like to clarify the events for us?"
The tallest of them, a boy named Anver, swallowed hard. His eyes darted between Derren and Lt. Garven before he finally broke. "It was Derren’s idea," he blurted, his voice trembling. "He said it would... humiliate them. He promised the beast would only scare them, not attack."
The room erupted into murmurs. Derren’s face turned ashen, and his composure shattered.
"You spineless fool!" he hissed at Anver, but the damage was done.
Lt. Garven raised a hand, silencing the room. "So, Derren, not only did you use an illegal substance to lure a dangerous beast, but you also coerced your peers into participating in this reckless act?"
Derren’s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
"And one final question," Lt. Garven continued, his tone razor-sharp. "It seems this incident is far too advanced to plan out by you, seeing as this powder is hard to get even in the underground scenes. Do you have any accomplice or perhaps someone told you to do this?"
For the first time, Derren hesitated. His eyes darted toward Master Fennor, who stood at the back of the hall, arms crossed and a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"It... it was my idea. I-I got the red powder from a masked merchant in the city," Derren stammered, his voice barely audible.
Lt. Garven didn’t miss the glance. His gaze lingered on Master Fennor for a moment before returning to Derren. "Very well. Derren, your actions have endangered the lives of your fellow cadets, violated academy rules, and brought disgrace to this institution. You and your clique will be expelled effective immediately."
A collective gasp rippled through the room. Derren’s face twisted with fury and desperation. "You can’t do this! My father—"
Lt. Garven silenced him with a cold glare. "Your father’s influence ends at this academy’s gates. We do not tolerate such blatant disregard for life and order."
As the guards stepped forward to escort Derren and his clique out, I caught Master Fennor’s gaze. His smirk had deepened, his eyes gleaming with unspoken amusement. The dismissal didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest, as though this was all part of a larger game.
My fists clenched at my sides, the weight of unspoken questions pressing down on me. Derren might have been the instigator, but the subtle threads of manipulation pointed elsewhere—toward a far more dangerous player.
**
Foreshadowing
The hall emptied slowly, leaving behind the echoes of what had just transpired. Derren and his clique, their faces twisted in disbelief and anger, were escorted out by the guards. Their expulsion was swift, but the weight of it hung heavily in the air. They had been high and mighty, shielded by their noble bloodlines, but now they were nothing more than disgraced students who had overplayed their hand.
As the room emptied, I stood silently, my thoughts lingering on what had happened, but also on what had been left unsaid. Despite the satisfaction of seeing Derren and his clique expelled, there was a gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. The fact that Master Fennor had been so calm, even smug, when his involvement was questioned—it didn’t sit right with me. There was something far larger at play, and I couldn’t help but feel that this was only the beginning of a much darker plot.
Lorian, standing beside me, seemed equally lost in thought. His expression was hard to read, as usual, but there was something in his eyes that mirrored my own unease. We hadn’t spoken much after the interrogation, but the tension between us had only grown since the battle with the Thorny Armadillo. He hadn’t told me much about himself, and I’d barely gotten a chance to ask—especially after the incident. And now, with Derren’s downfall, there was an odd sense of finality, like the dust had settled, but the real storm was still brewing.
“Hey,” Lorian said, his voice quiet, but there was a noticeable shift in his tone. “I know this isn’t exactly the right time, but… we need to talk.”
I turned to face him, my brows furrowing in curiosity. “Talk? About what?”
Lorian hesitated for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with the subject, but his eyes met mine with a kind of resolve. “About me. About what you saw. Back in the forest, when you were… binding my wounds.” He sighed, a soft exhale as if he was preparing for something difficult. “I’ll explain everything to you. But not here. Not in front of everyone. If you’re still willing to listen.”
I paused, glancing around the room to see the other instructors and students filing out, most of them having already forgotten about the details of the incident. My gaze shifted back to Lorian. He seemed distant, but there was a vulnerability in his posture that made my heart ache a little. The truth about him was hanging in the air like a storm cloud, and I realized I had been avoiding addressing it. We had danced around it ever since our time at the academy, and now, it was finally time to face it.
“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, my voice low, the weight of the words hanging in the space between us. “I didn’t expect… to find out like this.”
Lorian gave me a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s not something I like to talk about. But I promise, once we’re back in our room, I’ll explain everything. It’s… it’s not as simple as it looks.”
I nodded slowly, the gravity of his words settling in. I could tell he was conflicted—there was a lot more behind his words than I could understand right now. “Alright. I’ll meet you there. We’ll talk.”
He gave a short nod, his face softening, the usual guardedness melting away just slightly. “Thanks, Illiad. It means a lot.”
As we turned to leave the room, the hall seemed emptier than before. The victory over Derren’s clique felt hollow, and the questions surrounding Master Fennor’s involvement lingered like a dark cloud on the horizon. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Once we were outside, the cool breeze hit me, and I found myself lost in thought again. Lorian’s cryptic words were all I could focus on. I had been so focused on my own revenge, so consumed by the idea of protecting my parents and avenging my past life, that I had barely noticed the weight of the secrets Lorian carried.
As we made our way to the dormitory, I couldn’t help but wonder—what would he tell me? And more importantly, why had he been hiding it from me?
The door to our room loomed ahead, and a part of me already knew that whatever he had to say would change everything. But would it change the way I saw him? Or would it solidify the bond we had started to form as allies?
Lorian opened the door, stepping inside first. As I followed him in and closed the door behind me, I realized that this moment would mark the beginning of something much deeper than I had anticipated. Whatever Lorian’s secret was, it would shape our future together—whether as friends, allies, or something more complicated.