The Next Day – Tuesday Morning
The morning sunlight filtered softly through the dense canopy of the Elowen Forest, painting golden specks across the group's camp. After a quick breakfast of dry rations and roasted mana fruit, the group packed their gear and set out together.
Unlike the day before, Kael had suggested they travel as a full team.
"It's getting more dangerous," he had said calmly, eyes scanning the trees. "Best we stick together today."
Everyone agreed.
They trekked deeper into the forest, their eyes constantly moving, ears sharp for any unusual sound. After nearly an hour of moving through twisting thickets and dense underbrush and after dealing with a few mana beetles and a venom hound they entered a clearing where the air suddenly felt… tense.
Then it happened.
A gust of wind sliced through the clearing, and in an instant, four figures dropped from the trees, surrounding them. All were dressed in variant academy training uniforms, but it wasn't their clothes that caught Kael's attention it was their presence.
All high Rankers.
Kael's eyes narrowed as his perception focused. Their cores… wind affinity. All of them. He could sense the mana swirling tightly around them, especially the two boys brandishing dual swords.
He clicked his tongue. So they ditched their teams and formed a high-power unit. Smart. Dangerous, but smart.
His group stood tense, weapons at the ready, waiting for Kael to speak.
He turned slightly, voice low but clear. "We're surrounded. Listen closely. I'll take the two swordsmen. Cynthia handle the girl with the glaive."
Cynthia gave a firm nod.
Kael continued, "Max, Jace, Chloe hold off the fourth one together. Just stall him until one of us finishes."
Max looked hesitant but clenched his fists, flames rising.
Jace growled. "We'll do our best."
Chloe gave a nervous nod but summoned a wave of water at her fingertips.
Kael's eyes locked on the swordsmen. "Now!"
He dashed forward with explosive speed, his mana pulsing. In a blur, he closed the distance between himself and the two boys, catching them off-guard.
He kicked the one on the left hard in the chest, sending him flying back into a tree with a dull thud.
The other raised his swords just in time to block Kael's slash. Sparks flew from the clash.
Kael grinned. "Good. This is getting fun."
The forest around them erupted in battle cries, fire flares, and blades of wind.
And Kael, surrounded by the rush of combat, felt something stir inside him.
The thrill of battle.