As Elder Ryozen's words faded, the sanctum's heavy silence was suddenly broken by a sharp voice:
"Who are they!!"
The rookies turned sharply. Standing near one of the tall pillars was a boy about 9 to 10 years old, arms crossed, eyes glaring with poorly-hidden arrogance.
Captain Kaedros' brow furrowed.
"Serin. You don't shout like that."
The boy just snorted.
"Hmph."
Kaedros gave the others a small gesture, half-apology, half-introduction.
"Pardon us, young Veinwalkers. This is Serin Velra… an acolyte, one of our trainees."
Serin's smirk widened.
"Heh. Old man, you're really planning to send these guys into their deaths?"
Kaen's eye twitched. The tone alone was enough to boil his blood.
"What? Do you think we'll die that easily?!"
Serin tilted his head, mocking.
"Trying to play the hero? You fools don't even know what's out there. The moment you face a real monster… you're corpses."
Kaen clenched his fists.
