As Kael and Chloe stepped into the clearing where their camp was set up, the smell of firewood and roasted mana-beast meat greeted them. Max and Jace were resting against a tree while Cynthia sat on a large rock, arms crossed. She looked up as they arrived and grinned.
"Well, well. Looks like you two went on a little killing spree," she said, gesturing toward the points flashing above their watches. "Thirty-one and twenty? That's more than impressive."
Kael shrugged casually. "It's nothing much."
Cynthia raised a brow, then turned to Chloe with a teasing smirk. "But Chloe racking up twenty points? That's borderline S-rank behavior. Shouldn't she be promoted?"
Chloe blinked rapidly and gave a shy smile. "I… um… just followed instructions."
Cynthia laughed lightly, then waved them over. Kael moved toward one of the logs near the fire and sat next to her. The others were busy chatting or eating, giving them some space.
Kael leaned forward slightly, arms resting on his knees. "I know you want to tell me something," he said, eyes fixed on her.
Cynthia's expression shifted. The usual playfulness drained from her face. Her gaze turned serious, sharp.
"While we were coming back through the southern ridge," she said, voice low, "we got ambushed."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "By beasts?"
She shook her head. "No. By people. A group of three students from another team. Luckily, all low Rankers. Max and Jace handled two, I dealt with the third."
Kael frowned. "So, it's starting already."
Cynthia nodded. "Yeah. Apparently, the academy allows it. Teams can target other teams for points."
She pulled her knees to her chest slightly, still keeping her eyes on him. "If that had been a group of high Rankers, we could've been in serious trouble. I think their team's high Ranker split off from them, probably hunting solo."
Kael looked into the flickering fire. "So this is how the academy wants to weed out the weak."
He leaned back, letting out a quiet sigh. "It was expected. Now the real challenge begins."
Cynthia gave a slow nod. "We need to stick close and start planning harder routes. The Elowen Forest isn't just dangerous because of the beasts anymore."
Kael's red eyes glinted in the firelight. "Good. Let them come. This'll make getting that wish even more satisfying."
As the flames crackled between them, the tension in the air deepened. Somewhere, deeper in the forest, another howl echoed. But none of them flinched.
They were ready now.