Mayor Boro’s round face glistened with sweat as he ushered Talia and Keanu out of Lana’s General Store.

“Now then,” Boro said, wiping his brow with a handkerchief, “I’m sure you young Water Riders have many questions. It’s not often we have visitors from the Academy, after all.”

Talia and Keanu exchanged glances.

The mayor’s sudden appearance and rush to get them out of the store had only exacerbated their curiosity.

“Actually, Mayor Boro,” Talia began, her voice steady despite her growing suspicion, “we do have some questions. For starters, what exactly happened to Placid City? Most of it seems abandoned.”

Boro’s smile faltered for a moment before he plastered it back on, the expression not quite reaching his eyes.

“Ah, well, you see, it’s quite simple really. Things happened... Then, the economic downturn made it worse.”

Keanu frowned.

“But the damage we’ve seen... What caused it?”

The mayor’s laugh was a bit too loud, a bit too forced.

“Oh my, old things! Nothing anyone wants to talk about.”

Talia wasn’t buying it.

She pressed on, her blue eyes fixed on Boro’s face, watching for any tell-tale signs of deception.

“We’ve heard mentions of something called the Placid City Catastrophe. Was that what did this?”

At the mention of the catastrophe, Boro’s face paled visibly.

He opened his mouth to respond, but a familiar voice cut through the tension before he could form words.

“That’s quite enough questions for now.”

Professor Iakopo strode towards them out of nowhere.

The flickering street lamps cast strange shadows across his features, making him look older and scarier than usual.

“Mayor Boro,” Iakopo nodded to the chubby man, who seemed to sag with relief at the Professor’s arrival. “I’ll take it from here. You should get some rest; it’s been a long day for all of us.”

Boro nodded gratefully, mopping his brow once more.

“Yes, yes, of course. Thank you, Professor. Students, it was a pleasure meeting you. Do enjoy your stay in our humble city.” With that, he hurried off, his footsteps echoing in the quiet street.

Iakopo turned his attention to Talia and Keanu.

“As for you two, follow me.”

The Professor led them through Placid City. The few locals they encountered hurried past with downcast eyes as if afraid to make eye contact.

Finally, after they arrived in the hall of the building they were staying in, Talia and Keanu saw that all the other students had been gathered there.

“Listen carefully,” Iakopo began, moving to the front and explaining what was happening. “

“I brought you all here because the Water Rider Academy is responsible for the cleanup of dungeons in many cities. Every two years, we must clear the Placid Cave in Placid City so that the monsters won’t overwhelm the locals.

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“The Placid Cave is not just any training ground. It’s a zone of highly concentrated Mana, home to a hazardous amphibian species of Abyssal Creatures. Snake-like, you might describe them..”

“Snake-like creatures? What makes them so dangerous?” Someone asked.

Iakopo’s expression darkened.

“They can slowly evolve into Drakes - creatures so powerful that only a full graduate from the Water Rider Academy should face one alone.”

“Your job here,” Professor Iakopo said, “will be to clear out the weaker specimens that haven’t yet evolved. It’s a routine task to prevent Drakes from appearing in the future.”

The Professor moved to the table, pointing out various locations on the model.

“We’ll be operating in rotating teams. Each group will enter the cave, eliminate as many of the Abyssal Creatures as possible within their assigned time limit, and then return to the surface for the next team to take over.”

Talia’s mind wandered as Iakopo continued explaining the details of their mission. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this situation.

“Professor,” Talia interrupted, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, “what exactly was the Placid City Catastrophe? It seems to be connected to why we’re here.”

Iakopo’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing.

“That’s not relevant to your current mission. Focus on the task at hand. You’ll be entering the cave in two days. Until then, I suggest you rest and prepare.”

With that, the Professor dismissed all the students, making it clear that the conversation was over.

As Talia and Keanu left the main hall to take a stroll outside.

“Well, that was informative,” Keanu muttered sarcastically.

Talia nodded.

“Keanu,” she said suddenly, “I’m worried about Fiora. Have you noticed anything... off about her lately?”

Keanu’s brow furrowed in thought.

“Now that you mention it, I did see her talking to someone from Elder Kawena’s School earlier. Looked pretty chummy, too.”

Talia stopped in her tracks, her face paling.

“Wait, Elder Kawena’s School? Are you sure?”

“Yeah, why? What’s wrong with Kawena’s School?”

Talia hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.

Finally, she decided to trust Keanu with what she knew.

“I heard from a reliable source that Elder Kawena was one of the people who didn’t want me admitted to the Academy. I don’t know why, but it can’t be good if Fiora’s getting involved with them.”

Keanu whistled low.

“That’s some serious information. What are you going to do about it?”

“I need to talk to Fiora,” Talia said decisively. “Warn her if I can. But first...”

She trailed off, her eyes scanning the darkened streets.

“First, what?” Keanu asked.

Talia’s expression hardened with determination.

“First, I need to get stronger. Those Slashing Crusters we fought - I can use my [Blood Siphon] skill to become stronger. If we’re facing even more dangerous creatures in the Placid Cave, I need every bit of power I can get.”

Keanu nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face.

“Makes sense. Want some company while you hunt?”

Talia smiled gratefully.

“I would love to. Just wait for me, I’ll go talk to Fiora first.”

* * *

Talia finally located Fiora’s room on one of the upper floors.

The door was open, and she was sitting there with the same auburn-haired girl she had seen her with the previous days.

Taking a deep breath, Talia strode towards them.

“Fiora,” she called out, her voice carrying in the quiet night air. “I need to talk to you.”

Fiora’s head snapped up, her expression morphing from surprise to annoyance instantly.

“What do you want, Talia? I’m kind of in the middle of something here.”

Talia continued, undeterred by Fiora’s hostile tone.

“It’s important. Please, just give me a minute.”

Fiora rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Fine. What is it?”

Glancing at the other girl uneasily, Talia lowered her voice.

“It’s about Elder Kawena’s School. I’ve heard some things... I don’t think you should get involved with them.”

Fiora’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Oh really? And what makes you such an expert on Elder Kawena’s School? Last I checked, you were as new to all this as I am.”

“I know, but-”

“No,” Fiora cut her off, her voice sharp. “You don’t know anything, Talia. You’re just an idiot who thinks she knows best for everyone.”

Talia felt her frustration rising.

“I’m trying to help you, Fiora! Elder Kawena is not a good person. You need to stay away from those people!”

“You’re unbelievable,” Fiora spat. “First, you hog all the attention of the Great Families, and now you’re trying to tell me who I can and can’t associate with? Get over yourself, Talia.”

With that, Fiora stormed out of her own room, leaving Talia standing there, stunned.

Agalei gave her an apologetic look before hurrying after Fiora.

As Talia watched them go, she couldn’t help but feel like she had just made things worse.

She had tried to warn Fiora, to protect her, but all she had managed to do was push her further away.

Sighing heavily, Talia turned and began the long walk back to the entrance to meet with Keanu.

Despite what Professor Iakopo had said, Talia had decided that it was time for her to hunt more of those insect-looking monsters.

She wanted to absorb much more of their Agility and to boots her Attributes before entering the Placid Cave.