Morning came differently that day.
The sky stretched wide over the academy—clear, pale blue, untouched by clouds.
Sunlight spilled across the stone towers, reflecting softly on their polished edges, while shadows pooled in the narrow corridors below like quiet rivers.
The air carried a faint chill.
Not cold enough to bite—
But enough to wake the senses.
From the high terraces of the academy, one could see beyond its walls.
Far beyond.
Rolling plains of green.
Clusters of forest that darkened toward the horizon.
And in the far distance—
A faint, hazy outline of mountains that seemed to pierce the sky itself.
Takemi stood there for a moment.
Just looking.
"…The world's bigger than I thought."
"…You say that like you just noticed."
Lira stood beside him, arms crossed lightly.
Her hair shifted with the breeze, catching thin lines of sunlight.
Rauk approached from behind, holding a piece of bread.
"…He probably did."
He took a bite.
"…Guy was busy almost dying the past few days."
Takemi smirked.
"…That's fair."
Behind them—
Footsteps approached.
Soft.
Measured.
Elira.
She didn't say anything.
Just stood a short distance away.
Not far.
Not close.
But present.
Rauk glanced at her, then at Takemi.
"…So… is she officially with us now?"
"…Not officially," Elira answered before Takemi could.
"…I'm just… observing."
Rauk raised a brow.
"…You fight pretty well for an observer."
Lira added—
"…And your timing was precise."
Elira looked away slightly.
"…It was necessary."
Takemi didn't push it.
He just nodded.
"…Good enough."
The moment didn't last.
A figure approached from the lower steps—
A messenger in formal academy attire.
Crisp uniform.
Silver trim.
"…Takemi."
He handed over a sealed letter.
Thick parchment.
Stamped with a crest.
Not the academy.
Takemi frowned slightly.
"…That's not ours."
Lira leaned in.
"…That's from the Adventurers' Guild."
Rauk's eyes lit up.
"…Wait—seriously?"
The Adventurers' Guild wasn't part of the academy.
It stood outside noble systems.
Outside academic structure.
A neutral force.
A place where strength, skill, and results mattered more than lineage.
Takemi broke the seal.
Unfolded the letter.
"…We've been requested."
The letter was short.
Precise.
A corrupted entity has been sighted near the southern trade route.
Multiple merchant caravans have reported losses.
Due to the proximity to the academy, a request has been issued for capable individuals to investigate and subjugate the threat.
You are recommended.
Takemi read the last line again.
"…Recommended…"
Rauk grinned.
"…We're getting famous."
Lira frowned slightly.
"…Or noticed."
Elira remained quiet.
But her eyes lingered on the words.
"…Trade route…" she murmured.
"…That's not a small issue."
Takemi folded the letter.
"…We take it."
No hesitation.
Lira nodded.
"…Agreed."
Rauk cracked his neck.
"…Finally, something real."
A pause.
All eyes shifted—
Toward Elira.
She didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…I'll come."
Not dramatic.
Not forced.
Just… decided.
They didn't rush.
Preparation mattered.
Weapons checked.
Supplies gathered.
Simple provisions—
Water.
Basic medical kits.
Mana supplements.
The academy gates loomed large as they approached.
Massive iron doors set into towering stone walls.
Guarded.
Not to keep students in—
But to keep dangers out.
As they passed through—
The atmosphere changed.
Inside the academy—
Structured.
Safe.
Controlled.
Outside—
Open.
Unpredictable.
Alive.
The southern road stretched wide and worn.
Dirt packed from years of travel.
Wheel tracks carved into its surface.
Caravans passed occasionally—
Merchants with guarded expressions.
Wagons carrying goods covered in cloth.
Some nodded at the group.
Some avoided eye contact.
"…They know," Lira said quietly.
Takemi nodded.
"…Yeah."
The further they walked—
The quieter things became.
The sounds of the academy faded.
Replaced by—
Wind through grass.
Distant bird calls.
The subtle hum of life.
The plains rolled endlessly.
Grass swaying like waves in a silent ocean.
Clusters of trees dotted the landscape—
Each casting long shadows as the sun climbed higher.
"…This is where it starts," Takemi said softly.
They didn't have to search long.
The road changed.
Tracks became uneven.
Broken.
A wagon lay tilted to the side.
One wheel shattered.
Wood splintered.
Cloth torn.
Goods scattered.
"…No bodies," Rauk noted.
"…That's not good," Lira replied.
Elira stepped closer.
Kneeling.
Her fingers brushed the ground.
"…There was a struggle."
"…And they ran."
Takemi looked around.
The grass nearby—
Bent.
Crushed.
Not by one direction.
Multiple.
"…It moved through here," he said.
Ahead—
The plains gave way to forest.
Tall trees.
Dense.
Darkened by overlapping branches that blocked most of the sunlight.
The entrance felt like a boundary.
Light behind.
Shadow ahead.
"…Classic," Rauk muttered.
"…Of course it goes into the forest."
Lira's voice lowered.
"…Be careful."
"…Corrupted creatures adapt better in enclosed environments."
Elira stood.
Her gaze fixed on the darkness beyond.
"…This is where it gets dangerous."
Takemi stepped forward first.
The light faded as he crossed into the forest.
The air grew heavier.
Cooler.
Behind him—
The others followed.
And somewhere deep within—
Something moved.
Not rushing.
Not panicking.
Waiting.