The Emerald Verge area experienced a gradual transition into nighttime.
The forest maintained its sounds throughout the night but changed its vocal expression into something different.
Insects started their continuous singing performance which occurred beneath the grass. A nighttime bird emitted a deep sound that echoed from its position high up in the tree branches. The upper leaves created soft sounds which the wind used to travel through the tall tree trunks.
The small clearing contained a central area where a small fire burned.
The orange embers of the fire floated upward and disappeared into the dark sky which surrounded them.
Takemi sat cross-legged near the fire while he rotated a slender stick which he held between his fingers.
He used it to hold a small piece of dried meat which he had cut off from the stick.
Rauk continued his sword sharpening activities which he had started earlier. The whetstone produced a smooth sound while it scraped through his work which he did outside in the forest.
"You sharpen that thing more than you fight with it," Takemi said.
Rauk kept his head down and continued his work.
"A dull blade kills its owner."
Takemi grinned.
"Fair point."
The scent of cooked food reached the clearing because multiple students began cooking their meals.
Lira sat next to a flat stone which she used to sort all the items which they had gathered during the day.
She placed the Ironfang claw onto a piece of fabric which rested next to her.
She held a small crystal lens in one hand to study the faint glowing veins which existed inside the claw.
Takemi leaned slightly closer to the fire.
"Does that thing always glow like that?"
Lira glanced up briefly.
"Only when exposed to heat."
Takemi raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting."
"The internal mana concentration of the claw responds to temperature changes."
She tapped the claw lightly with a metal tool.
"In theory, it could be used as a catalyst in alchemical mixtures."
Takemi chuckled.
"You say that like we all know what it means."
Lira tilted her head slightly.
"You're at a magic academy."
"Yes."
"And you fight monsters."
"Correct."
"Then you should learn what they're made of."
Takemi laughed quietly.
"Fair enough."
After dinner, the group slowly settled into a calmer rhythm.
Some students wrote notes in their field journals.
Others checked their equipment or stretched tired muscles.
The supervising instructor remained awake, sitting on a rock near the edge of the clearing while scanning the surrounding forest.
Takemi noticed it.
"You're not sleeping?"
The instructor replied without turning.
"One person always stays awake during wilderness expeditions."
Takemi nodded slowly.
"Makes sense."
He leaned back against a tree trunk, staring up through the branches.
The sky above the forest canopy was clear tonight.
Stars shimmered faintly between the leaves.
Takemi watched them quietly.
"…They're brighter here."
Rauk followed his gaze upward.
"In the capital, the mana lamps drown out the sky."
Takemi smiled faintly.
"Back where I came from…"
He stopped himself.
The words lingered for a moment.
Lira looked over from her stone.
"You mean your homeland?"
Takemi shrugged lightly.
"…Something like that."
The conversation drifted into silence.
Much later, when most of the students had fallen asleep, Takemi remained awake.
Not intentionally.
But sleep refused to come.
He shifted slightly against the tree.
Across the clearing, Rauk had already fallen asleep with his sword resting beside him.
Lira had rolled herself in a cloak near the fire.
The embers were dim now, glowing faintly red.
Takemi closed his eyes.
Then opened them again.
Something felt wrong.
He slowly stood.
The instructor noticed immediately.
"Trouble sleeping?"
"Maybe."
Takemi stepped quietly toward the edge of the clearing.
The forest beyond the firelight looked darker than before.
The wind had died down.
Even the insects had grown quieter.
Takemi crouched near the tree line.
His fingers brushed the soil.
"…Tracks."
The instructor walked over slowly.
"New ones?"
Takemi nodded.
"These weren't here earlier."
The prints were shallow but wide.
Far larger than a lynx.
Far larger than a wolf.
The instructor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Interesting."
Takemi studied the tracks again.
They led deeper into the forest.
Whatever creature had made them had passed the clearing very recently.
But it had not approached the camp.
It had only circled the area.
Watching.
Takemi stood slowly.
"…Something big is out there."
The instructor's voice remained calm.
"Yes."
Takemi glanced toward the sleeping students behind them.
"Should we wake everyone?"
The instructor considered the tracks for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"Not yet."
Takemi frowned slightly.
"You're not worried?"
"Oh, I am."
The instructor looked toward the dark forest.
"But whatever made these tracks…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…is smart enough not to attack a prepared group."
Takemi looked back into the darkness.
Something moved.
Very far away.
Just a brief shift of shadow between the trees.
Then it was gone.
Takemi slowly exhaled.
"Yeah."
He turned back toward the campfire.
"…I think you're right."
But deep in the forest…
something ancient had already begun moving.
And before long, the students of the Royal Magic Academy would discover that the Emerald Verge held secrets far older than their academy itself.