I felt her presence even before I saw her.
The air changed.
It became heavier, denser, as if the very mana around us had decided to pay attention.
We were at the entrance of the Rank S dungeon south of the city. Scarlet was leaning against a rock, arms crossed, watching everything in silence. Rai'kanna stood beside me, serious. Elara, Vespera, and Liriel were a little behind us, restless.
Then she appeared.
Walking along the dirt trail as if she were strolling through a garden.
The sorceress of the Demi-dragons.
Tall, perfect posture, long hair tied back with an ornament of silver scales. Her eyes had a different glow, vertical, like those of a dragon contained in human form. Her clothes were simple, but the aura coming from her was not.
She stopped a few meters from us.
Analyzed me.
Then looked at the women.
Lastly, at Scarlet.
"I felt your mana signature while I was still on the road."
Her voice was calm, firm, and strangely elegant.
Rai'kanna stepped forward.
"Thank you for coming."
The sorceress slightly inclined her head.
"The request came from someone who carries ancient blood. I would not ignore it."
Scarlet let out a small breath through her nose.
"So it's you."
The sorceress looked at her with curiosity.
"And you must be the human who interferes where she wasn't called."
Scarlet smirked slightly.
"I'm the one who will make sure no one dies here."
I had already understood.
They were strong.
Strong enough not to measure their words.
The sorceress looked back at me.
"So you are Takumi."
"I am."
She stepped closer.
Stopped right in front of me.
For a few seconds, she said nothing.
She just observed me.
Then turned her face to the women.
"You did not come here to watch."
Rai'kanna answered.
"We came to evolve."
The sorceress nodded.
"Good. Because I do not teach the weak. I transform those who already have a foundation."
She pointed toward the dungeon entrance.
"This dungeon will not be for him."
She glanced at me briefly.
"He has another mentor."
Scarlet said nothing, but the slight smile on her face made it clear she liked that.
The sorceress continued.
"You four come with me."
Elara swallowed dryly.
"Now?"
"Now."
Vespera took a deep breath.
Liriel simply nodded.
Rai'kanna looked at me for a moment.
I understood that look.
Trust.
"Go."
The sorceress began walking toward a side trail, different from the main entrance.
"There is another Rank S dungeon twenty minutes from here. Less known. More dangerous."
Scarlet stepped closer to me.
"This will be interesting."
I watched the five of them move away.
The sorceress's presence was so strong that even the vegetation around seemed to bend slightly as she passed.
Rai'kanna walked right behind her.
Elara, Vespera, and Liriel followed, determined.
There was no fear.
Only focus.
Scarlet spoke beside me.
"They will come back different."
"I know."
We remained silent for a few seconds.
The wind passing through the trees.
The distant sound of creatures inside the main dungeon.
Scarlet uncrossed her arms.
"Meanwhile, you stay with me."
I looked at the dark dungeon entrance.
Took a deep breath.
"Then let's begin."
She smiled.
"No. Your training continues later."
"What do you mean?"
"Today is the real first day of their training."
I looked again at the trail where they had disappeared.
For the first time since all this began, I felt something different.
It wasn't concern.
It was expectation.
They were about to enter a training that would completely change who they were.
And I knew it.
Scarlet began walking back.
"Let's give them space. This kind of training doesn't accept an audience."
I gave one last look at the forest.
Then followed Scarlet.
As we walked back toward the road, a certainty formed in my mind.
This wasn't just my period of evolution.
It was ours.