Between two towering mountains, a large clearing stretched out like a scar on the land. In that clearing, a wall of hardened clay rose defiantly, forming a crude circle. At each of its four corners, tall watchtowers stood like silent sentinels. Within that wall, around four hundred students had built their encampments—small shelters molded from the same clay, split into two camps. One half claimed the east, the other the west. In the heart of the division, two larger tents faced one another, tension thick between them.
Inside one of the tents, Kaelan Ignis of the Fire Phoenix Clan—the noble Ignisara line—stood stiffly, his blue eyes narrowed as he argued with a brute of a man. Towering at six feet, with a gorilla-like physique, his tanned muscles bulged with restrained aggression. His hair, wild and fire-red, framed his stern face like dancing flames. This was Varek Drakthorn of the Fire Dragon Clan—the fearsome Drakthorn lineage.
Kaelan's voice was firm, weary. "We don't have much food remaining. We must send teams to hunt."
Varek replied, voice like grinding stone. "That's what I'm saying. Let's go hunting. Whoever brings back more game, leads."
Kaelan's eyes flared, but he kept his composure. "We can't leave the camp. Monsters could attack again at any time."
A mocking smirk twisted across Varek's face. "Just say you're a coward. I won't argue with that."
Kaelan exhaled sharply, shoulders tense but not rising to the bait. "If you want to go hunting, I won't stop you."
At that, Varek crossed his thick arms over his chest and fell silent, his crimson eyes gleaming with suppressed fury.
A voice echoed from outside, urgent and respectful. "Sir Varek, Sir Kaelan! We saw a person coming from the forest—headed toward us!"
Kaelan stepped outside, his expression already darkening. "Which watchtower?"
"West watchtower, sir!" the student responded, snapping to attention.
Kaelan scaled the watchtower with practiced ease, and when he peered into the distance, his mood soured at once. His jaw clenched. His eyes narrowed into slits.
Of all people.
He detested that person—no, that bastard—and yet there he was, striding casually from the forest as if summoned by fate. Worse still, he was carrying Meika Noctshade on his back. Kaelan's eye twitched. Why is that bastard always so lucky with girls?
In a voice that carried across the entire encampment, Kaelan bellowed, "Open the gates. He is Riven Veylor."
The bamboo gates creaked open, and Riven stepped inside, back straight, carrying Meika with surprising ease. His presence, casual yet confident, drew curious glances from the students. Order reigned among them—the encampment's discipline evident as several girls approached him immediately.
"Please hand her to us," one of them said politely.
Without hesitation, Riven shifted Meika into their care. "She'll wake up in a while. I've already given her a high-rank healing potion."
Healing potions, like elemental stones, came in ranks—lowest, lower, mid, and high. The highest grade could restore wounds even on the brink of death. Crafted from rare plants. Elemental stones—precious gems formed in places where elemental energy condensed, stones essential to any Elemental's cultivation.
Kaelan approached, his footsteps heavy with suppressed emotion.
"Hey Kaelan, how are you doing?" Riven asked with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, extending a hand.
Kaelan grasped it but didn't return the smile. "I would've said everything's fine, but right now, we're out of food."
Riven's thoughts swirled. This bastard. Can't you at least invite me in first? Now I've got to feed myself too? These guys really are too much.
Feigning concern, he replied, "Oh? Is that so? But don't you have Varek with you?"
Kaelan's face scrunched as if he'd tasted something bitter. "He is with me."
Riven's smile sharpened. "He should be restless to hunt, right?"
Right on cue, Varek's deep voice boomed across the space. "I am! But that coward says we can't leave the camp alone!"
Riven turned, his voice smooth as silk. "Oh? That shouldn't be a problem now that Meika and I are here, right, Kaelan?"
Kaelan hesitated. His pride warred with logic, but in the end, he nodded. "Yes."
You're still too inexperienced to match me in schemes, Riven thought smugly.
"Then it's settled. Can I get a camp, or do I have to make one myself?" Riven asked, stretching slightly as if already choosing a spot.
"Don't worry," Varek said, placing a meaty hand on Riven's shoulder. "I'll ask the Earth Squad to build it for you."
Far from them, deep in the forest where the canopy swallowed most of the light, three figures trekked quietly.
Alex sat beneath a wide tree, exhaling slowly as he looked to the mountain peaks ahead. "We'll reach there around evening," he said to the two girls beside him.
Rina and Selene sank to the ground with him. Their movements were relaxed, their eyes soft when looking at him. Around Alex, both had become at ease.
"I miss chocolates," Selene said with a soft smile. "Alex, I'll treat you to a whole box when we get back home!"
Alex blinked. "What's chocolate?"
Both girls laughed. The sound was light, unburdened, rare in their world.
Chocolates were a luxury—nobles enjoyed them, not commoners. To most, they were myth.
Selene beamed, already imagining the taste. "It's sweet… but more yummy!" she said, drooling a little.
Alex tilted his head. "Oh, like toffees?"
Then his expression changed. His eyes darkened, lips tightening ever so slightly.
Anna used to like them, he thought, pain flickering behind his eyes. She would've loved this chocolate thing.
Rina and Selene exchanged glances but said nothing. They had seen that look before—that silent grief Alex never voiced. They never pressed. They understood.
After a long moment, Alex blinked the memory away and stood. "Let's keep moving."
By the time the sun began to set, they crested a hill and saw it.
The barracks.
Walls of clay, tall and proud, stood against the golden light. Flames danced on the watchtowers as torches were lit, casting shadows across the clearing.
Their journey was ending.
But something far greater was about to begin.